Method and apparatus for cementing liners in wells



2 Smets-sheet 1 J. W. BUCHANAN ETAL July 28, 1942.

METHD AND APPARATUS FOR CEMENTING LINERs 1N WELLS Filed Aug. 3, 1940July 28, 1942 J. w. BUCHANAN Erm.- 2,291,371

METO) AND APPARATUS FOR CEMENTING LINERS IN WELLS I y Filed Aug. s, 19402 sheets-sheet 2 irf 22% f y? a Patented July 28, 1'942 A METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR CEMENTING LINERS IN WELLS Jesse W. Buchanan and Charles C.Milligan,`

AvenaL'Calif., assignor to Security Eneering Co., Inc., Whittier,Calif., a corporation of California Application.August 3, i943, SerialNo. 350,446

l5 Claims. (Ci. 166ml) This invention relates to a method and apparatusfor setting and cementing liners in wells.

The method and apparatus is primarily used when it is desired to cementthe top of the liner in place and to impose a "squeeze job" wherein thecement on being positioned is subjected to high pressure forcing thecement into iissures in the formation and all areas that will receiveit.

An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereinthe liner can be run into the well hole and its packer set and testedbefore commencing the cementing operation. The cement can thereafter bedischarged into the annular space between the top of the liner and theWell walls or the bottom of the casing and be caused to pass throughbypass ports to a point above the top of the liner. In

considered as a continuation of th'e lower portion of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l illustrating the apparatus in thatposition assumed by the parts after the liner has been set and itspacker expanded against the interior of the casing and in a positionjust prior to the closing of the ports of the bypass port coupling;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the lower portion of theapparatus in the position shown in Fig. Sand during that period whenthis way the bypass ports allow fresh cement or uncontaminated cement toiill all space possible without undue pressure resistance. When suicientcement has been discharged the bypass ports can be closed and mud pumppressure applied to force the cement into fissures in the Iormation andwherever cement will be received. That cement which is initiallydischarged and which may have become contaminated is flushed up throughthe bypass ports and through the packer `and is not left around theliner so as to be apt to cause a faulty cementing operation.

Tailingswhich are likewise apt to be contaminated are left within thedischarge pipe and are not present in the annular space surrounding theliner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a I method andapparatus'whereby the above-mentioned operations and advantages can besecured by a4 single run-in of the run-in string of pipe. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a bypass port collar or couplingadapted to be incorporated in a liner operable by the run-in string ofpipe so that the bypass ports may be opened or closed at will fromthelsurface. With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will bemade manifest in the following detailed description and specificallypointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the acfcompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention,wherein: v Figure 1 is a partial view in section through the bottom of awell casing illustrating the upper portion of the` apparatus embodyingthe present invention in that position occupied by the parts immediatelyprior to the setting of the liner;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the lower gure may be portion ofthe apparatus whi h cement is being discharged; l

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the apparatus in theposition after the ports of the bypass port coupling have been closedand in the position wherein pressure may be imposed upon the 'cement toeffect the squeeze job;

Fig. 6 is a partial view in vertical section illustrating the details ofconstruction of the bypass port coupling;

Fig. 'l is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line Tf-'Iupon Fig. 6 in the direction indicated;

Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section illustrating one form oi tubingpack-oil coupling that forms a part of the apparatus;

Fig; 9 is a view in vertical section illustrating an alternative form oftubing pack-0E coupling that may be employed; and

Fig. l0-is a view inv vertical section illustrating the details ofconstruction of the cementing collar that is preferably employed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similarreferencecharacters designate similar parts throughout, I0 indicates the casingin e. well which has been set above the productive formation indicatedat F, see Fig. 2. Within the casing it is desired to set and cement aliner.

, In carrying out the present invention 'the liner is made up with alower perforated or slotted section of any suitable length indicated atI I having an upper portion l2 which is blank or unslotted orunperforated. The lower perforated portion II is connected to the upperblank portion by means of a cementing collar I3, the details of whichare illustrated in Fig. 10. This cementing collar may be of anypreferreddesign but in the preferred form ofconstruction it has a'portedcollar I4 having ports I5 within which therey is a drillable bushing I6.carrying baci.: pressure valves Il. 'I'he bottom of the bushing isblanked oi as.

indicated atv I8 preventing downward flow of cement through the bushingand causing it to be expelled outwardly through the walls of the collarIt -pasttheback pressure valves I'I.

` liner and the exterior of the nipple or tail pipe A cement basket I9is optionally mounted on the liner a suitable distance below thecementing collar and serves to prevent cement discharged from thecementing collar from flowing downwardly in the. well around theperforated portion Il. A suitable distance above ,the cementing collarthere is incorporated' in the linera tubing pack-oil coupling which inthe form illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, and 8, comprises an outer collar orcoupling 20 threaded at its ends for attachment to the liner sectionsand having'on its interior a rubber ring 2| held in place by means ofdrillable retaining rings 22 and 23 A which may be held in place bymeans of screws 24. AThe bore or opening through the rubber ring is suchthat it may closely flt about a nipple or tail pipe v25, the outlet -ofwhich is at the bottom thereof. Thisring 2l serves as a type of packingmeans between the interior of the preventing cement that is dischargedfrom the tail pipe from flowing upwardly between the liner and the tailpipe and causing it instead to be discharged through the cementingcollar I3.

At the-top of the liner there is incorporated therein a bypass portcollar indicated at 26, the

apagan ing I0 on the setting ofthe liner. .The run-in string of pipeisequipped atits bottom with a releasing tool consisting of a squaredlor noncircular tube 39 extending through a nut 48 equipped withvleft-hand threads 4I engageable withv complementary threads on theinterior of the linerl hanger. An anti-friction bearing 42 is preferablyemployed to facilitate unscrewing of the-nut 4l from the liner hangerregardless of the weight that may be imposed. The nipple or .tail pipe25 is secured to the bottom of the releasing tool and extends downwardlyinto the liner.

The operation and advantagesof the abovedescribed apparatus are asfollows. The liner and associated apparatus are first assembled togetherin the position shown in Fig. 1 wherein the keys or splines 32 on thenipple or tail pipe 25 are. disposed below the key bushing 30. The lowerend voi! the tail pipe or nipple slidably extendsthrough the packingring A2l and is disposed but a short distance above the baille in -thecementing collar '|3. In this position the liner is lowered into thewell and the apparatus is in that position illustrated in Figs. l and 2.

On reaching the desired level the slips 31 are released and set as shownin Figs. 3 and 5, and

'the packing rings 38 are expanded into firm threads 21 to receive aninner tubular valve 28 which is equipped with complementary threads.This valve preferably carries a packing ring 29 and has secured on itsinterior a keyed bushing 30. This bushing is held in place by means ofscrews 3|. The interior of the valve 2,8 is. of

' the same internal diameter as the interior diameter of the liner sothat when the keyed bushing 30 which is formed o'f readily drillablema-` terial is drilled up -or otherwise removed from thev liner oncompletion of the setting and cementing operations, the valve 28 willform no obstruction on the interior of the liner.

At the upper end of the nipple or tail pipe 25 there are formed twodiametrically opposed keys or splines 32 which when the nipple or `tailpipe is elevated from the position -shown in Fig. 1 to the positionshownin Fig. 3 may pass between the keys or splines 33 on the interior of thekey bushing 38 so as to enable the keyed bushing ltobe rotated by thenipple or tail pipe and to thus screw the tubular valve 28 downwardly.in

. the collar or coupling so as to close the ports 34.v In thepreferredform of construction the .interior of the collar or coupling isformed with the spaces between keys 33 and to provide additional spacesfor fluid flow between the key bushing 30 and the nipple or tail pipe25.

The top ofthe liner is equipped with a liner hanger which may-be of anypreferred design. That illustrated comprises a slip cone 36 which servesto expand slips 31 intol engagement with the interior of casing I0.Packing means 38 is taminated flow. upwardly around the liner and. nallyinto the liner through the bypass ports 34.

associated with the liner hanger and is designed to be expanded againstthe interior of the cas- 7`5 packing engagement with the 'interior ofthe casing. When in this position the packer may be tested to determinewhether or not it Ahas been properly set and whether or notit isleaking. This is accomplished by imposing mud pump pressure on theoutside of the run-in string of pipe and within the casingand observingwhether or not pressure builds up therein and is retained. Y

If` the lpacker 38 has been properly set and there is no indication ofleakagethe apparatus is then in condition for the cementing operation. 4

The run-in stringv of pipe is then rotated to the right so as todisconnect the releasing tool from l theliner hanger, this beingaccomplished by unscrewing nut Il from the liner hanger. The run-instring of pipe can then be lifted a short distance Solas to cause thekeys or splines 32 to enter the key bushing 30 in the spaces bel tweenthe-keys 33 therein. Cement slurry is then pumped down through therun-in string of pipe and through the nipple or tail pipe 25,'beingdischarged at the bottom of the tail pipe below the packing ring 2l.This slurry is caused -to exit from the .liner through the ports in thecement collar and to flow upwardly around the top of the Y linerA in theannular space between' the liner and the well walls. Well uid, cuttings,and the initially discharged slurry which is apt to be con- They then owupwardly through the spaces between the keys 33 around the nipple ortail pipe 25 and `iiow upwardly through the liner hanger and through theliner packer 38. In this way all contaminating'substancesbetween theliner and the well'walls or between the top ofthe liner and the interiorof the casing are eectively ilushed out through the bypass ports so thatoncoming slurry which is uncontaminated completely lls the annular spacesurrounding the liner above the cement basket I9. When the cement slurryhas been thus positioned around the top of the liner the run-in stringof pipe is rotated causing the keys or splines 32 to engage one of thekeys 33 thus screwing the tubular valve 28 downwardly closing the bypassports 34. Mud pump pressure cient cement seal around the top of theliner.

Return of the slurry to the interior of the liner is prevented by thebypass ports 34 being closed by the tubular valve 28 and by the backpressure valves I1 in the cementing collar. Consequently,

when sufcient pressure has been imposed the run-in string of pipe andits associated apparatus is then in condition to be withdrawn bringingwith it the releasing tool and the nipple or tail pipe 25. When thecement has hardened the key bushing 38, the ring 2i, and the retainingrings 22 and 23 as well as bushing i6, can be drilled up inasmuchasthese parts are all formed of readily drillable material such asaluminum or an aluminum alloy. This leaves the liner cemented in placewith the interior of the liner free and unobstructed.

In the event that the liner itself is entirely formed of readilydrillable material such as an aluminum alloy, all parts of the linershould be made of readily drillable material where possible. In otherwords, the tubular valve 28, the body of the bypass port coupling, thebody oi the pack-ott coupling, and the body of the cementing collarshould be formed of readily drillable material as well.

It will be noted from the above-describe the discharged cement to flowoutwardly through the outlet ports and not continue down the liner. Fromthe above-described method and apparatus it will be appreciated that ahighly improved means and method has been developed for setting andcementing liners in wells. While the improved means and method has beenprimarily designed to enable the displacing of 'well duid from aroundthe liner by uncontaminated cement slurry and the imposition of pres#sure to eilect a squeeze Job it will be understood that it is notnecessary in all instances to impose pressure. In some situations themethod and apparatus may be advantageously employed without attemptingthe imposing of pressure to secure a squeeze job.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention as deiined by theappended claims.

We claim:

1. The method of setting and cementing liners in wells which includessetting the liner in a well, packing on between the top of the exteriorof the liner and the interior of the Well casing, discharging cement inthe liner and forcing it to method and apparatus that all operations canbe I accomplished on a single run-in of the run-in string of pipe,namely the liner may be set and its packer expanded, the packer tested,the space between the liner and the well walls flushed clear and cementslurry discharged in place and subjected to highpressure to effect thesqueeze job. 'I'he use ofthe bypass ports 34 is-not only advantageous inenabling the ushing out of contaminating substances but is advantageousin that these ports form an adequate space for the passage of cuttings.In the normal situation the :was

clearance between the packer 38 and the interior of the casing is verysmall when the packer is in contracted condition, frequently notexceeding 1/8". 'I'his small clearance hinders the flushing out o fcuttings between the packer and the interior of the casing. By the useof the bypass ports these ports may be adequately large to pass evenlarge cuttings which could not be flushed betweeen the packer and theinterior of the casing.

In Fig. 9 there is illustrated an alternativeA form of pack-oi! couplingthatmay be used. In

this form of -construction the pack-oil coupling comprises a couplingbody 20a within which there-is the rubber or packing ring Zia held inplace by means of retaining rings 22a and 23a. Adjacent the bottom ofthe lower retaining ring 22a. there is a valve seat I3 adapted to seatanupwardly closing valve Il urged into closing position by means of aspring l5. This valve is adapted to be forced open when the tail pipe 25is passed downwardly through the rubber ring 2id Y and upon withdrawalof the tail pipe the valve will close so as to prevent reverse ow of the.ce-

ment slurry. Where this form oi' construction is used the cementingcollar need not be equipped with back pressure valves as valve 44 servesto perform their function, Thus, in using the construction illustratedin Fig. 9 the cementing collar need only be equipped with suitableVoutlet the exterior thereof and causing owvupwardly on the outside ofthe liner, then intothe liner,l and upwardly through the packer, andrthen closing the upper entrance to the liner against ilow therethroughand imposing pressure on the cement on the exterior of the liner.

2. The method of cementing liners in wells which includes setting theliner in a well, discharging cement in the liner and forcing it througha lower outlet therefrom to the exterior of the liner to cause upwardflow on the outside of the liner and into the liner through an upperinlet, and then closing the upper inlet and imposing pressure on thecement on the exterior of the liner.

3'. The method oi? cementing liners in wells which includes setting theliner in a well, discharging cement in the liner and forcing it to theexterior thereof through a lower outlet and preventing upward fiow fromadjacent the lower outlet within the liner, causing upward ilow on theoutside of the liner and from the exterior of the liner into the linerthrough an 'upper inlet, and then closing the upper inlet against inwardilow therethrough and imposing pressure on the cement on the exterior ofthe liner. y

4. An apparatus for setting and cementing liners in wells including aliner, packing means for packing oi between the top of the liner and theinterior of a well casing, a run-in string of pipe detachably connectedto the liner having a nipple extending into the liner, a second packingmeans for packing oi between the interior of the liner and theVV nippleabove the outlet from the nipple, there being an inlet to the linerbetween the packing means, and means for optionally.

opening and closing said inlet operable by the ports and a bailletherebelow which will cause nipp1ev6. An apparatus for setting andcementing liners in wells including a liner, packing means for packingoff between the top of the liner and the-interior of a well casing, arun-in string of i the packing means, and means for optionally openingand closing said inlet operable by rotation of the nipple by the runinstring of pipe.

7,. 1An apparatus for setting and cementing liners in wells comprising aliner having. external packing means adjacent its top adapted to beexpanded into engagement with a well casing, a run-in string of pipedetachably connected to the liner by which the liner may be lowered intothe well and the packing means set, t'here being inlet ports in theliner beneath the packing means, a nipple connected to the run-in stringof pipe extending into the liner, means for packing off between theinterior of the liner and the nipple above'the outlet from the nipple, acementing collar equipped with back pressure valves in the liner-belowthe last-mentioned packing means, a

cement vbasket on the'liner below the cementing collar, and valve meansoperable by the nipple for closing the inlet ports to the liner.

8. An apparatus for setting and cementing liners in wells comprisingv aliner having external packing means adjacentits top adapted to beexpanded into engagement with a well casing, a.

run-in string of pipe detachably connected to the liner by which theliner may be lowered into,

the well and the packing means set, there being inlet ports in the linerbeneath the packing means, a nipple connected to the run-in string ofpipe extending into the liner, means for packing oil' between theinterior of the liner and the nipple above the outlet from the nipple, acementing collar equipped with back pressure valves in the liner belowthe last-mentioned packing4 means, and valve means operable by thenipple,

for closing the inlet ports to the liner.

9. A bypass port collar for use in cementing liners comprising a portedcollar adaptedto bel incorporated in a liner, a tubular valve threadedinto the collar adapted to be screwed into posiinto the collar adaptedto be screwed into positions opening or closing the ports, and means onthe valve engageable by a nipple attachable to a run-in string of pipeby which the valve may be screwed, the collar having a seat againstwhich the valve may be tightened.

11. The method qf setting and cementing linersin welis which includessetting the liner in a well, packing oi between the top of the exteriorof' the liner and the interior of the well casing, discharging cement inthe liner and forcing it to the exterior thereof. and causingl flowupwardly on the outside of the liner, then into the liner, and upwardlythrough the packer, and then closing the upper entrance to the lineragainst now therethrough.

12. The method of cementing liners lin wells which includes setting theliner in-a well, discharging cement in the liner and forcing it througha'lower outlet therefrom to the exterior of the liner tocause upwardilow on the outside of the liner and into the liner through an upperinlet, and then closing the upper inlet.

13. The method of cementing liners in wells which includes setting theliner in a well, discharging cement in the liner and forcing it to theexterior thereof through a lower outlet and preventing upward ow fromadjacent the lower outlet within the liner, causing upward ilow on theoutside of the linery and from the exterior of the liner into the linerthrough an upperI inlet, and then closing the upper inlet against inwardow therethrough.

14. 'I'he method of cementing liners in wells which includes setting theliner in a well, discharging cement in the liner and forcing it through`a. lower outlet therefrom to the exterior of the liner to causeupwardilow on the outside of the liner` and into the linerthrough an upperinlet, and then closing the upper inlet and drill# ing out the interiorof the liner so as to leave its interior open andunobstructed. l

15. An apparatus for cementing liners and the like in wells comprising aliner having an outlet' andan inlet thereabove, means detachablyconnecting the liner to a run-in string of pipe, a nipple connected tothe run-in string of pipe and extending into the liner to a level Ibelowthe inlet, means for preventing upward flow between the liner and thenipple to cause the cement discharged through the nipple to pass out ofthe outlet; a threaded valve operable upon rotation to close the inlet,and means providing a splined connection between the nipple and thevalve.

JESSE W. BUCHANAN. CHARLES C. MILLIGAN.

